RFP 2026-04-003 Landscape Planning and Maintenance

The McDuffie County Board of Commissioners issued RFP 2026-04-003 on April 13, 2026, soliciting qualified firms to provide comprehensive landscape planning, installation, and ongoing maintenance services for two county-owned properties: the Historic McDuffie County Courthouse located at 337 Main Street, Thomson, GA 30824, and the Thomson-McDuffie Government Center located at 210 Railroad Street, Thomson, GA 30284. The scope of work encompasses site assessments, conceptual and final landscape plan development including planting plans, hardscape elements, irrigation system design, and erosion control measures, as well as landscape installation utilizing proper planting techniques and industry standards. Ongoing maintenance services include routine and seasonal activities such as mowing, edging, trimming, mulching, bed maintenance, litter removal, pruning, fertilization, pest management, plant material replacement, irrigation system maintenance, and emergency response. The initial contract term is typically one to three years with renewal options at the county's discretion. Proposals must include lump sum pricing for design services, unit pricing for installation, and fixed monthly or per-acre pricing for maintenance, with optional pricing for seasonal color programs and emergency services. A mandatory site showing is scheduled for April 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM at 210 Railroad Street, with proposals due on May 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Evaluation criteria include experience and qualifications (20 points), project approach and methodology (20 points), past performance and references (15 points), project team and staffing (15 points), cost proposal (20 points), and capacity and project schedule (10 points). Contractors must demonstrate proof of business license, contractor's license if applicable, and insurance documentation including workers' compensation and general liability coverage with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence, payment and performance bonds if using subcontractors, E-Verify authorization, and Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Affidavit compliance.

The RFP includes a local preference provision allowing the county to award to a qualified local McDuffie County bidder if the bid is not more than 4% higher than the lowest bid received. No specific incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents. The landscape design plans provided establish existing infrastructure requirements, including specifications for planting over 1,200 individual plants across both sites, installation of hardscape elements such as concrete walkways and driveways, irrigation system design and maintenance, sod establishment totaling approximately 155,000 square feet, and mulch application of approximately 340 cubic yards at the Thomson-McDuffie Government Center. The preliminary planting design for the Historic McDuffie County Courthouse specifies installation of one large Southern Live Oak and 464 shrubs and ground covers across nine native and adapted species suitable for the Georgia East Zone. County payment shall be rendered via ACH within 20 days or by paper check within 30 days, with progress payments at 95% of completed work prior to substantial completion. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the available procurement documents.